Wormwood Scrubs is best known as a prison – But did you know, the category B men’s jail in Hammersmith played a key role during World War II?

From as early as 1812 the area was leased by the war office from the Manor of Fulham to exercise cavalry horses.

The grounds would be used for a number of military exercises throughout the decades.

A section from a rifle range can still be found as a wall in the Linford Christie Stadium to this day.

During WWII, the prison was taken over by the War Department and the prisoners evacuated to other prisons.

The Security Service, MI5, was also based at Wormwood Scrubs from 1939 to 1940.

And while the men were away, the Auxiliary Territorial Service women were in charge of a 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun site at the prison.